A Personal Account of Polyvagal Theory and Yogic Gunas

While Polyvagal Theory (PVT) and the three gunas – Sattva (balance), Rajas (activity), and Tamas (inertia) – may seem worlds apart, their integration offers a unique approach to understanding human behavior. Yoga and Indian philosophy refer to guna as a particular quality, along with PVT, which has roots in contemporary neuroscience. This international blend allows individuals to understand different physiological states. 

Understanding the Basics: PVT and Gunas 

To begin, PVT divides the autonomic nervous system into three separate categories: the ventral vagal (social engagement), sympathetic (fight or flight), and dorsal vagal (shutdown). From this, the three gunas serve as primary drivers of individual thought and behavior. Rajas refers to activity, Tamas denotes inertia while Sattva closes the triad as balance.  

Drawing Parallels

Sattva and Ventral Vagal State: While Sattva is harmony and clarity, the ventral vagal state facilitates feelings of safety, connection, and emotional regulation. Both promote resilience, optimal functioning, and social bonding.

Rajas and Sympathetic Activation: Rajas represents energy and passion, which can be motivation or restlessness. In PVT language, sympathetic activation is our stress response, energizing action and movement. Chronic activation can result in anxiety or burnout.

Tamas and Dorsal Vagal Shutdown: Tamas represents inertia, dullness, or avoidance, reflecting the dorsal vagal state of withdrawal and collapse. This shutdown response can be due to overwhelming stress or trauma. 

The Dynamic Dance Between States

Both systems speak to the fact that we are not stuck in any one state. Our experiences, thoughts, and behaviors fluctuate between states. Stress can lead us toward a rajasic or tamasic state, and practices that induce calm and oneness can bring about a sattvic state. This is where yoga’s wisdom comes into play.

Yoga as a Bridge Between Ancient and Modern Wisdom 

Yoga Approach	PVT Mechanism	Guna Target
Slow-paced asana	Enhances vagal brake	Reduces rajas
Bhramari pranayama	Stimulates ventral vagus	Increases sattva
Yoga Nidra	Regulates dorsal vagal tone	Alleviates tamas46

Embracing the Convergence

While PVT remains controversial in neuroscience3, this convergence provides a translational framework – ancient concepts like guna balance gain neurophysiological grounding, while modern stress physiology finds roots in yogic wisdom. Both ultimately aim for self-regulation: PVT through neural platform shifts, yoga through cultivating sattvic dominance56. 

 
In this context, the process of developing Sattva is not only philosophical but also physiological—a balanced integration of body, mind, and spirit. 

Citations: 

1. https://www.yogabasics.com/learn/the-3-gunas-of-nature/ 
2. https://courses.onlineyoga.school/pages/what-are-the-3-gunas-sattva-tamas-and-rajas 
3. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Polyvagal_theory 
4. https://kripalu.org/resources/polyvagal-theory-and-gunas-qa-marlysa-sullivan 
5. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5835127/ 
6. https://yogauonline.com/yoga-health-benefits/yoga-for-stress-relief/the-vagus-nerve-in-the-light-of-yoga-philosophy-polyvagal-theory-and-the-3-gunas/ 
7. https://sequencewiz.org/2021/08/04/three-main-forces-that-define-your-mental-state-reactions-and-behavior-the-gunas-and-the-polyvagal-theory/ 
8. https://sequencewiz.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/The-Polyvagal-Theory-and-the-three-gunas.pdf 
9. https://yinyoga.com/yinsights/the-three-gunas/ 
10. https://www.in.yoga/en/2013/03/02/the-gunas-sattva-rajas-and-tamas/ 
11. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Samkhya 
12. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9930472/ 
13. https://www.webmd.com/brain/vagus-nerve-what-to-know 
14. https://somaticmovementcenter.com/what-is-polyvagal-theory/ 
15. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/body/22279-vagus-nerve 
16. https://www.counselling-directory.org.uk/memberarticles/an-introduction-to-polyvagal-theory 
17. https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/neuroscience/vagus-nerve 
18. https://www.yogajournal.com/lifestyle/health/yoga-philosophy-101-3-gunas/ 
19. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29535617/ 
20. https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/human-neuroscience/articles/10.3389/fnhum.2018.00067/full 
21. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tamas_(philosophy) 
22. https://www.ekhartyoga.com/articles/practice/the-play-of-the-three-gunas 
23. https://isha.sadhguru.org/en/wisdom/article/the-three-gunas-tamas-rajas-and-sattva 
24. https://www.arhantayoga.org/blog/sattva-rajas-tamas-gunas/ 
25. https://hridaya-yoga.com/the-three-gunas-sattva-rajas-and-tamas/ 
26. https://yogainternational.com/article/view/the-gunas-natures-three-fundamental-forces/ 
27. https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/integrative-neuroscience/articles/10.3389/fnint.2022.871227/full 
28. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35941799/ 
29. https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/neuroscience/articles/10.3389/fnins.2018.00458/full 
30. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10724739/ 
31. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3108032/ 
32. https://yogauonline.com/yoga-health-benefits/yoga-for-stress-relief/tools-for-trauma-informed-yoga-a-review-of-applied-polyvagal-theory-in-yoga-by-dr-arielle-schwartz/